Shortly before he began his much-awaited speech at the Kisan Samriddhi Sankalp Rally in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met relatives of six people who were killed in police firing last year. Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the police firing against protesting farmers in Mandsaur.
The Twitter handles of the Congress and Gandhi put up photographs of the party chief spending time with the families.
Congress President @RahulGandhi pays his respects to the 6 farmers martyred in the police firing in #Mandsaur last year. #JusticeForFarmers pic.twitter.com/fB9zaAlYeh
— Congress (@INCIndia) June 6, 2018
The rally is expected to be used by Gandhi to reach out to farmers even as the nationwide 'strike' by cultivators entered the sixth day on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh has been considered as the 'hub' of the ongoing 'Gaon bandh', which has led to rise in prices of vegetables and other edible commodities in several parts of India.
Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur is significant as he was prevented by the state government from visiting the area following the firing. In the coming Assembly elections, the BJP under Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be fighting heavy anti-incumbency as it has been in power since 2003. The BJP government has been accused of tardy progress in investigating the Mandsaur firing.